Some see it as a watershed moment in human history; an acknowledgement of our mutual self-interest and the ultimate need for cooperation in order to survive played out on a global scale.

Practically speaking it will likely take years to assess the impact of the climate change accord that was reached last month in Paris. There are certainly many competing opinions about what it will or won’t ultimately mean for the earth. But no matter your opinion on the topic of the Paris accord or climate change, it is undeniable that this level of global consensus on what many see as an existential threat to the planet is something very new.

Some see it as a watershed moment in human history; an acknowledgement of our mutual self-interest and the ultimate need for cooperation in order to survive played out on a global scale. Others see it as politics as usual; more dithering and grandstanding by world leaders on a topic that has been discussed unrelentingly for the past 25 years. Wherever you come down on this question personally, there is no doubt that in a world that competes for business globally, this Paris agreement will have wide-ranging and long-lasting implications.

Our own Amelia Levin, contributing editor, discusses some of the real life consequences of stricter governmental regulation in the U.S. in this issue. Her article this month, “Myths and Realities Re: New Refrigeration Legislation” (page 94), attempts to make some practical sense out of the new EPA regulations that take effect this year.

I’m happy to announce that we have secured an awesome site for the inaugural Foodservice Equipment & Design (FED) Global Leadership Summit that will take place September 19-21 in Chicago, and it couldn’t be more fitting. The historic Chicago Athletic Association will provide the backdrop for this unique event. The event will bring together the audiences of our two publications — Foodservice Equipment and Supplies and restaurant development + design — resulting in a confluence of ideas and individuals like no other in the industry. There will be much more to share about this exciting gathering as it develops in the months to come.

Lastly, I would like to call your attention to the ride-along that we have included with this January issue of FE&S. Aliworld is a custom publishing piece created by Zoomba Group for Ali Group-USA and we are proud to include a copy here for you to peruse.